The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) wraps up their 2014-2015 session at the end of June and there are still a lot of big cases that need decisions. This session has seen marriage equality, lethal injection, housing discrimination, the confederate flag, and healthcare. Now, you’re probably wondering, “Wait, didn’t the Supreme Court already rule on the Affordable Care Act?”

Give Me Some Background

Yes, back in 2012, the final ruling declared the ACA’s “individual mandate” a tax, and thus, constitutional. But now, there’s a new case--King v. Burwell which questions the legality of tax credits given to ACA users in states using HealthCare.gov. Under the law as it has been interpreted in practice, states were given the choice to use a federal marketplace in place of their own statewide exchange. Indiana and thirty-three other states chose this route. This made it possible for low- and middle-income households to qualify for tax credits they otherwise would not receive. The controversy with the tax-credit subsidies lies in a single phrase: “an Exchange established by the State.” Challengers argue this caveat makes it illegal to offer tax credits to anyone who is enrolled in ACA through healthcare.gov, but the Obama Administration insists this is a weak argument hinging on a technicality. Regardless, a ruling in favor of the challengers will equate to the Supreme Court turning their backs on families wanting affordable healthcare.

In Indiana, 218,617 Hoosiers selected qualified health plans (QHPs) during the 2015 open enrollment[i]. There are currently 159,802 Hoosiers receiving subsidies.

Why should I care?

Governor Mike Pence has stubbornly insisted that if SCOTUS sides with the challengers he does not want Indiana to take over the state’s exchange to preserve the subsidies. He instead suggests that Congress should give states “the ability to offer alternative healthcare solutions, crafted to the unique circumstances in their states[ii]”.  If the subsidies were ruled unconstitutional, 159,802 Hoosier’s healthcare cost would increase 271%. *  Attorney General Greg Zoeller led the way in for this case for Indiana by filing Indiana v. IRS, a precursor to the King case. The basics of the lawsuit agree with challengers in King v. Burwell, but specifically relate it to public school employees. Zoeller wanted to also challenge the letter of law and is seeking clarity on whether the state will be subject to the employer mandate tax penalties.

So what now?

If SCOTUS upholds the challenge backed by Governor Pence, 6 million Americans (including hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers) will be out of affordable health insurance. Supporters of the ACA say the phrase “an Exchange established by the State” does not exclude the exchange established by the federal government, and argue the IRS’s interpretation was reasonable. Taking 6 million Americans out of the exchange and causing even more to pay higher premiums is not just bad optics, it is bad policy. Allowing these subsidies to expire will impact individuals, small business, insurance markets, doctors, and hospitals. The Supreme Court is to set to decide soon, and Governor Pence will need to answer one important question: will he once again choose his stubborn politics over the wellbeing of Hoosier citizens? The College Democrats of Indiana know Governor Pence’s longtime opposition to the law complicates his re-election hopes, but a true leader should recognize the right thing to do regardless of the politics. His help initiating this dangerous court challenge, his insistence to fight common-sense solutions to save the subsidies, and his refusal to offer a workable alternative show, once again, that it is a time for a change of leadership in Indiana.



Helpful Links:

1.     http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/03/us/potential-impact-of-the-supreme-courts-decision-on-health-care-subsidies.html

2.     http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-employer-mandate/

 



* Does not include rate increases that insurance companies would be expected to seek to make up for the fact that sicker people are the ones most likely to accept higher premium costs to keep their coverage.



[i] Wiechmann, S. (2015, January 16). 175,000 Hoosiers Enrolled Through Affordable Care Act So Far. Retrieved June 15, 2015, from http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/175000-hoosiers-enrolled-affordable-care-act-77029/


[ii] Groppe, M. (2015, June 15). Indy residents would be hard hit if Obamacare subsidies end. Retrieved June 15, 2015, from http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/11/indy-residents-hard-hit-obamacare-subsidies-end/71094292/#_=_

Welcome to our website! As many of you know, the College Democrats of Indiana recently changed administrations, and as a part of that we have updated our website! Alright, its mostly the same, but like, with a new background and stuff. 

Anyway, from now on this blog, along with our Facebook page and Twitter will be where you can find out the latest news coming from CDIN! We will be posting regularly about world, national, and state events, our opinions on the news, updates about how to get and stay involved with Indiana Democratic politics and anything else you could imagine! Feel free to get engaged in the comments and let us know what you would like from CDIN, and keep an eye out on our calendar as we will be updating it as things progress towards a wonderful fall semester. We are the voice of college students in Indiana, and we hope you enjoy!

It was the second day of the first week of the General Assembly's 2015 session and Mike Delph already had seen two of his proposals crumple like car fenders colliding in an icy intersection.

To add insult, Delph's early losses were the work of leaders in his own caucus who assigned his proposals to legislative purgatory.

Yet, Delph was undeterred and unrepentant as we spoke for 90 minutes over coffee on a winter day almost as frigid as the reception he gets in many corners of the Statehouse.

To understand how far Carmel's go-his-own way Republican senator has fallen, let's review the past 12 months...

Read the rest of this column here!

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit upheld the district court ruling in Indiana that found the Indiana ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. 

This ruling does not lift the stay previously granted. However, it means full marriage equality in Indiana is one step closer to being a reality. 

Governor Pence and Attorney General Zoeller are expected to appeal the ruling again. To follow the story, check out the Indianapolis Star story at the link below: 

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2014/09/04/us-appeals-court-indianas-sex-marriage-ban-unconstitutional/15080979/

I will never forget the moment same-sex marriage was briefly legalized in Indiana.

I was sitting at my desk at my internship in Washington, D.C., reading a bill about international trade, when my phone buzzed.

It was a text from my partner, Daniel, telling me to check Twitter.

I immediately set aside what I was working on and read the first tweet.

“Judge strikes down Indiana’s ban on gay marriage.”

And in that moment, I burst into tears.

Even though I am not planning on getting married anytime soon, and even though I was halfway across the country at the time, it meant a lot.

I suddenly felt like Indiana was more of a home.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Young indicated I would finally be recognized as a human being.

Now, though, I’m unsure what I am in the eyes of my state. Shortly after the ruling, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a stay to halt same-sex marriages in Indiana. It was granted.

Gov. Mike Pence’s administration then issued a memo stating the same-sex marriage ban in Indiana is “in full force and effect and executive branch agencies are to execute their functions as though the U.S. District Court order of June 25 had not been issued.”

Pence refuses to abide by the ruling of a U.S. judge. He is instead regarding same-sex marriages conducted as invalid.

Now, it’s nearly impossible to deny that Pence is eyeing the White House for 2016 or 2020. The governor has been traveling across the country and even overseas to the United Kingdom and Germany to bash President Obama’s policies.

And, in following the longstanding Republican tradition of treating same-sex couples as second-class citizens, Pence is grandstanding for his Republican supporters.

But he should stop wasting taxpayer dollars fighting this ruling. Moreover, he should recognize not only the same-sex marriages already performed, but any same-sex marriages performed in the future.

In all honesty, there will be those who say that as a man with a male partner I don’t exactly have a forgiving perspective on the Pence administration’s decision.

And yet I find myself writing this column, not filled with anger or spite, but with a great, profound sadness.

For a small, minuscule moment in Indiana, we witnessed a glimmer of equality and basic human decency.

Same-sex marriage was legalized. Society didn’t crumble. Brimstone didn’t rain down upon us from the heavens.

And Pence should recognize that.

Like you all, the College Democrats of Indiana Executive Board was excited when we heard that gay marriage was briefly legalized in Indiana via judicial ruling. Now, Governor Pence and Attorney General Zoeller are refusing to recognize same-sex marriages performed during that time as valid! 

The College Democrats of Indiana are outraged at this blatant disregard of human rights by Governor Pence and A.G. Zoeller. We've changed our logo to the photo below to show our support of the LGBT+ community in this time of uncertainty. It will remain that way until those couples have their marriage recognized in Indiana!

Senator Mike Delph has been fighting hard in our State Senate to make sure that women, LGBT+ individuals, and basically anybody who isn't him aren't given the time of day in Indiana. 

Besides being severely anti-gay marriage, anti-choice, and anti-education, Sen. Delph has voted for the "right-to-work" law and to allow civilians to use force against Indiana police officers. 

Senator Delph is a perfect example of a Tea Party politician that's too extreme for the people of Indiana. That's why the College Democrats of Indiana endorsed his general election opponent, JD Ford, this cycle. 

Check out our Buzzfeed Article: 10 Reasons To Vote Out Senator Mike Delph!

The College Democrats of Indiana Executive Board has released their first newsletter of the year! Check it out to keep updated on our state conference calls, our chapter registration, and our work on behalf of all of you at the State level! 

Check it out here!

The College Democrats of Indiana Executive Board would like to wish all those who are celebrating "Eid Mubarak" today! Cultural diversity is a standing principle of both the Democratic Party and of America itself.

Eid Mubarak, everyone!